Organized Orthodontics Current Dilemmas and Future Challenges Dr. James Gjerset Dr. Raymond George was the commentator for this session. The American Association of Orthodontists has a number of challenges dealing with demographics, generation differences, gender, diversity, education, globalization, technology, government, and self-governance. The AAO considers the education issues to be the most important challenge. The AAOF has made available funds for research to encourage educators. The Foundation has assets of $16 million, coming from about 30% of the members. If the assets were increased to $50 million or even $100-150 million, that would enable the AAO to endow a chair in every graduate orthodontic program. An AAO Task Force on Recruitment and Retention of Faculty, headed by Dr. Henry Fields, is attempting to define the factors of the crisis and make recommendations. A summit meeting of dental specialties, ADA, educators, Deans, and professional associations to focus on the crisis has been proposed. The future shortage of orthodontists will have a greater impact on rural areas. The profession should address this problem. The AAO has a growing diversity in its membership. Younger orthodontists ask why should I join. Younger members view their time as valuable, and are less willing to volunteer for AAO duties. Younger members should be given an opportunity to give back to the association with fresh, new initiatives. The globalization or orthodontics is exemplified by the growth of the World Federation of Orthodontics to 6300 fellows. A European specialty board is being organized. The upcoming Hawaii meeting of the AAO is in part an opportunity for us to meet with Pacific Rim Orthodontists. The annual AAO sessions draw large number of international orthodontists. Technology has been with us for a long time. The Internet trend will shrink the world, and the AAO website will be designed as the information site for orthodontics in the world. Electronic chat and discussion groups will draw members together who have similar interests. The AAO follows a traditional model of organization. The different AAO councils should have better interaction between them. The AAO needs to become more nimble and able to respond to issues more quickly. We need to develop a shared vision. Mail surveys of members are very expensive. The AAO research panel has established a representative sample of 400 orthodontists who have agreed to promptly respond to electronic surveys. These electronic surveys have been successful. The profession has exciting challenges and opportunities for its members. We must remember our goal to deliver the very best orthodontic care for our patients. The meeting was concluded with a general discussion of the dilemmas and challenges facing the orthodontic profession, led by the Drs. Samir Bishara and Robert Nemeth.